The Premier Division season may be only two games old but already there are some slight concerns for the two sides who have dominated Irish football for the past five seasons – Dundalk and Cork City. Both are without a win after their first two games. Dundalk for the second week drew 1-1, last week it was against Sligo Rovers and this week it was against their North West neighbours Finn Harps. As in that game, the Lillywhites again had to come from behind. Keith Cowan gave Harps the lead much to the delight of the Finn Park faithful. Dundalk’s captain Brian Gartland got their equaliser.
Cork City have now lost their opening two games as they were beaten 2-0 by their Munster rivals Waterford FC in Turner’s Cross. Bastien Hery and Zack Elbouzedi with their goals. While Cork have lost both of their games it’s a different story for Shamrock Rovers who have won their opening two fixtures. On Friday night they beat Derry City 2-0 in the Tallaght Stadium. Dylan Watts and Aaron McEneff scored their goals. A fitting way for Shamrock to celebrate the opening of their new South Stand.
Derry finished the game with ten men as Jamie McDonagh was sent off in the 84th minute. St. Patrick’s Athletic also secured their second 1-0 victory in a row and again Mikey Drennan scored their goal. This week they beat Sligo Rovers in the Showgrounds with Drennan scoring in the 92nd minute. Bohemian FC are another side with a 100% record. They beat UCD 2-0 in the Belfield Bowl. Daniel Mandroiu and Dinny Corcoran with the goals.
The First Division also got underway over the weekend and already Shelbourne look like the side to beat. They were away to Galway United in Eamon Deasy Park and came back from 2-0 down to 3-2 with Ciaran Kilduff getting their winner. Drogheda United were 4-0 winners against Cobh Ramblers in United Park in a game where an issue with their bus meant that Cobh didn’t get to the ground until half an hour before kick-off which wasn’t put back for them.
In something of a derby game, Bray Wanderers won 3-0 away to Cabinteely in Stradbrook. Limerick and Longford Town played out a goalless draw in the Markets Field. It was a momentous week for Athlone Town. On Monday they beat Dundalk 1-0 in Oriel Park in the Leinster Senior Cup and then on Friday they beat Wexford FC 4-2 in the Athlone Town Stadium. That was their first league win in nearly a year and a half. Wexford played out the majority of the game with ten men as Danny Furlong was sent off in the 9th minute.
